First treatment licensed for primary progressive MS in the US

Ocrelizumab has been approved as a treatment for both relapsing and primary progressive MS in the US

Last updated: 24th April 2017

Ocrelizumab has been approved as a treatment for both relapsing and primary progressive MS in the US. It is the first licensed treatment for people with primary progressive MS. The decision was made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In its latest trial results, researchers found that ocrelizumab reduced relapses, MRI activity and slowed progression in relapsing MS. It was also found to slow progression in primary progressive MS.

It’s currently being reviewed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the body responsible for drug licensing in Europe. A decision is expected later this year.

The US decision came earlier because ocrelizumab was granted priority review status, which speeds up the licensing process. The EMA does not have a priority review system.